Laser


Laser stands for ‘Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.’  Unlike normal light, laser light is composed of one colour (wavelength) and travels in one direction with each light wave travelling in step with the adjacent wave.  This makes the laser light very powerful.

In eye procedures, laser energy is emitted as a narrow light beam, which will cut, burn, or dissolve eye tissue.  Different lasers are used for different eye procedures and their name suggests which materials are used by them.  One of the main advantages of using a laser, is that there is the elimination of the risk of infection and treatment is highly precise and controlled.  Further, pain can be dramatically reduced compared with other procedures.

Types of Lasers:


Excimer Laser

This type of laser is used in laser eye surgery, for example LASIK and PRK. The laser works by emitting an ultraviolet light beam, which vaporises tissue by breaking down molecular tissue bonds.  The excimer laser is a cold laser, which is very precise, removing only around 1/600 of the thickness of a human hair.

YAG Laser

This type of laser is used in posterior capsular opacification, which is an eye condition that usually follows cataract surgery.  A high-energy light beam is used to vaporise part of the capsule, which has become cloudy.  This then allows light to pass through to the retina again.

Holmium Laser

This laser is used in laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK) to correct mild to moderate farsightedness and astigmatism.  The laser reshapes the cornea and does not remove any corneal tissue.  A tightening belt like condition is created by applying the laser to the corneal surface.  The centre of the cornea is forced to bulge outwards and this improves the way in which light passes through the front of the eye.

CO2 Laser

This type of laser may be used to remove wrinkles from around the eye area.  It works by cutting tissue through heat absorption

Argon Laser

An argon laser produces blue/green wavelengths, which can penetrate through the front of the eye to burn and seal leaking blood vessels causing diabetic retinopathy.  The laser can also be used to weld the detached retina to the underlying choroid layer of the eye to treat retinal detachment.  Glaucoma is a serious sight threatening condition, which is caused by increased eye pressure.  An argon laser can be used to create a tiny opening in the iris, allowing excess fluid inside the eye to drain out and reduce eye pressure.  Even macular degeneration can be treated with an argon laser.


Laser Eye Surgery Enquiry Form

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